Explore photosynthesis and cellular respiration in beads formed of algal cells.
- The Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit is a ThINQ!™ Investigation, designed to make students think through scientific discovery
- The Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit for AP Biology is a fun, easy to use, and more reliable alternative to the leaf disk and microrespirometer labs
This kit contains curriculum and sufficient materials for eight student workstations to complete the following activities:
3 pre-lab activities — to review concepts and help students make cross-connections
6 inquiry investigations:
2 structured inquiry investigations — to familiarize students with the core experiment and use of the scientific method
4 open/guided inquiry investigations — to lead students through asking scientific questions, designing experiments, and analyzing results
1 AP-style post-lab assessment question — to test student learning
1 science case study — to apply student knowledge in real-world science scenarios
The Instructor's Guide gives you the tools to lead your class through multiple levels of inquiry:
Teachable moment suggestions to help your students through the inquiry process
Sample experimental designs and results for the inquiry investigations
Tips and tricks suggested by teachers and scientists to help you save time, conserve supplies, and avoid common mistakes
Answer key to the student manual (Science Case Study, Post-Lab Assessment, ThINQ! and Focus Questions)
Alignment with the 2012 AP curriculum (essential knowledge, learning objectives, and science practices) to cover AP Big Idea 2 and cross-cut to Big Ideas 1 and 4
Students can simultaneously explore both photosynthesis and cellular respiration using the same organism (an alga) in a simple colorimetric assay to yield qualitative and/or quantitative results.
How It Works
The algae beads (microalgae encapsulated in alginate) included in this kit are easy to handle and can be used for multiple experiments. The algae beads are incubated in a CO2 indicator solution that is sensitive to changes in pH caused by gaseous CO2 dissolving in water to form carbonic acid according to this equilibrium:
CO2 + H2O ⇔ H2CO3 ⇔ HCO3 + H+
The experimental setup of the Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Kit allows students to track photosynthesis by CO2 consumption and cellular respiration by CO2 production.
This kit aligns directly with AP Biology Big Idea 2 and connects to concepts in Big Ideas 1 and 4. The student and instructor manuals are designed to give teachers the flexibility to conduct the labs as structured, guided and/or open inquiry investigations.
Ordering information: Kit contents include supplies for 6 inquiry labs.
Algae beads; CO2 indicator; Debeading solution; Disposable plastic transfer pipets; Cuvettes and caps; Indicator color guide; Teacher guide; Student manual available as download.
Refill kit is all of the reagents required to run the photosynthesis and cell respiration kit. Pkg. of 1, 170 algae beads, 50 ml 10x CO2 indicator, and 20 ml debeading solution.
Caution: Notes: For education use only. Requires storage at 4°C.
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